A PROBLEM described as “perennial” in January are bottle banks filled to overflowing – and Innerleithen is no exception.

A post on Innerleithen Online stated: “I keep taking along my bagful and bringing it home again as I don’t like adding to the mess.”

With all the glass containers for recycling full, more than 30 bags and hundreds of loose bottles littered the pavement.

Stewart Wilson said: “It’s an annual tradition – like the band playing a Guid New Year.

“The full to the gunnels January bottle bank and people littering next to it is the sort of perennial thing that makes planet Innerleithen the place it is.”

Another comment said: “I understand its a pain to walk up and it’s full to walk home again with your empties. Perhaps people in cars could maybe just keep their empties in their boot til it’s emptied or they are passing Eshiels tip.

“Is there really any need to keep dumping empties on the surrounding pavement and moaning about the mess?”

And someone else added: “Unfortunately, it’s always going to happen.

“Following a pair of two day holidays and more alcohol consumed than at any other time of the year.

“The lorries can only be in one place at a time and every bottle bank in Scotland is going to be in a similar state.”